There is something wonderfully satisfying about making jam.
Perhaps it's because every jar captures a little of the season. A warm summer afternoon, fruit picked at its very best, and the simple pleasure of turning it into something that can be enjoyed long after the last berries have disappeared from the hedgerows.
Each year I make two kinds of jam.
The first is our everyday jam, perfect for warm toast, fresh bread or spooned onto a scone with a generous helping of cream.
The second is strictly for the grown-ups.
It follows exactly the same recipe but, just before potting, I add a small splash of my favourite tipple. Blackberry jam loves a little Cinzano, while gooseberry jam pairs beautifully with a splash of gin. It isn't enough to overpower the fruit—just enough to add another layer of flavour that always makes people ask, "What's your secret ingredient?"
My recipe couldn't be simpler.
Wash and weigh whatever fruit is in season, then add the same weight in caster sugar along with a generous squeeze of lemon juice. The lemon provides natural pectin, helping the jam reach that perfect setting point. Bring everything to a rolling boil until the bubbles no longer disappear when stirred and the mixture begins to thicken. If you're making an adult version, stir in a small splash of your chosen spirit before carefully pouring the jam into warm, sterilised jars.
For me, jam making has never really been about following a recipe.
It's about preserving a season, filling the pantry with homemade gifts and creating little traditions that my family now expect every summer.
I'd love to know what you're making in your kitchen this year. Do you have a favourite combination, a treasured family recipe or a secret ingredient that makes your jam uniquely yours?
After all, the best recipes are the ones that continue to evolve as they're shared.
Tenacious Kitchen
Have a favourite jam, chutney or preserve recipe? I'd love to feature some of our readers' creations in a future newsletter. Send me your recipe and tell me the story behind it—because the memories we preserve are often just as important as the fruit in the jar.
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